Nanocellulosic metal matrix composite

A composite material comprising:

• a metal matrix formed of a monolithic metal base material continuous throughout the composite material;
• and
• a nanocellulose supplement distributed throughout the metal matrix such that the composite material is homogenous, the nanocellulose supplement being formed of a nanocellulose supplement material dispersed in the metal base material via simultaneous material dispensing, the nanocellulose supplement material and the metal base material being consolidated via high temperature additive manufacturing in a vacuum or under pressure such that the metal base material fuses together, at least one material property of the metal matrix being altered via the nanocellulose supplement, the nanocellulose supplement material being at least partially reduced to carbon structure via burnout, the carbon structure being undamaged and reinforcing the metal matrix,
• wherein the additive manufacturing is at least one of electroplating, electroforming, vapor deposition, and in-situ fabrication,
• wherein the nanocellulose supplement alters a mechanical property, a thermal property, an electrical property, a chemical property, and a porosity of the composite material.